Recap: Canes Open Campaign With Win Over Columbus

RALEIGH, NC. -The Carolina Hurricanes began their silver anniversary season with a season-opening 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets Wednesday.

The Story

After all the theatrics that come with a first game of the season subsided, the two teams skated to what could only be described as a clunky first period. Columbus did a strong job of holding the hosting Canes at bay, however, a good deal of that could be attributed to both sides looking as if they were finding their footing in their first time out.
A scoreless 20 quickly gave way in the middle frame though, as it took Patrik Laine just 11 seconds to beat Frederik Andersen and give the Blue Jackets the first lead of the night. A laser wrist shot beat the second-year Canes netminder high to the blocker-side, but it would wind up being the only one to get by him all night.
Carolina was able to respond to the game-opening goal with their first just five minutes later, coming via Seth Jarvis. A strong forechecking effort by Sebastian Aho forced a turnover behind the Columbus net, one that the sophomore would backhand past Daniil Tarasov after dipping toward to the front of his net.

While the first marker of the year for the home squad tied up the contest, the momentum started to swing in their favor after a sequence of successful events. A would-be second goal of the night for the Blue Jackets was called back following a successful video challenge for offsides, the Canes then killed back-to-back penalties and were able to create life on a power play of their own. Then, just 1:27 after their power play expired, Martin Necas set up Brady Skjei for the go-ahead tally.

Taking their 2-1 advantage into the final frame of regulation, Carolina only got sharper, keeping the foot on the gas and striking twice more. Necas turned his evening into a multi-point affair after he created a turnover in the Columbus end and scored, then Andrei Svechnikov got one to squeak through Tarasov to advance the lead to three.
The defending Metropolitan Division champions would slam the door shut from there, cruising to the final horn for a victory.

They Said It

Rod Brind'Amouroffering his assessment on Game #1...
"It wasn't a great start, I thought Columbus had the better play early. I kind of expected that to be honest, we hadn't played in a long time and some guys hadn't played in a really long time. We were a little behind the eight ball in the pace of the game, but Freddie played really, really well. He made some big saves at key times. Then I thought we started looking more like how we are able to play."
Brady Skjeiechoing Brind'Amour's thoughts on the contest....
"The second two periods we felt better about our game. The first one was a little slow, a little sluggish. But we bounced back, that's what this team does. We got to our game in the second and third, got a bunch of shots on and forwards did a good job of getting to the rebounds. Overall, things we can learn from, but a good start."
Frederik Andersenon getting back to game action...
"I felt good. I felt sharp. I got to see some shots early on and settle in. It was nice. There's always that excitement about the first game and I'm happy about the way we came out."

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